Puducherry acid attack victim succumbs to injuries

Chennai, Feb 12: After fighting for life for around three months, a 23-year-old woman from Puducherry Tuesday succumbed to the injuries she suffered in a brutal acid attack on her face and neck.

According to the doctors at a private hospital here, J. Vinodhini, who was responding to treatment well, died suddenly after she suffered a cardiac arrest and attempts to revive her failed as her respiratory tract was affected severely.

Two days after Diwali last year, Vinodhini, an employee at a software company here, was attacked with acid by her neighbour, Suresh at Karaikkal bus stand after she spurned his romantic proposal.

Vinodhini suffered severe burn injuries on her face and neck. She also lost her eye sight. She was shifted a hospital here from JIPMER in Puducherry.

A sum of Rs.300,000 was released for her treatment from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and Puduchery chief minister granted Rs.200,000 for her treatment.

The Puducherry police have arrested Suresh for attempted murder. A police official told reporters that the culprit will be charged for murder and they will also use the latest ordinance to seek death penalty for him.

Political party leaders and women activists had come out in support of Vinodhini.

Vinodhini’s inconsolable father, Jayapal said his daughter was the family’s first graduate and just got a good job.